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Oregon football vs. Michigan State summer preview: Everything you need to know

For the first time as a Big Ten team, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks will host a Big Ten game at Autzen Stadium when they meet up with the Michigan State Spartans.

By Ethan Lee

Dec 31, 2018; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Shakur Brown (29) runs the football against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2018; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Shakur Brown (29) runs the football against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports / Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
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About halfway through the first season in the Big Ten for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Football team, Oregon football fans will get to see the Oregon Ducks meet up with the Michigan State Spartans, who are led by a familiar face. 

Jonathan Smith has taken over the program in East Lansing and he’s bringing with him a Michigan State Spartans team that is working on rebuilding. In a night game, we’ll get to see the Oregon Ducks welcome a traditional Big Ten team to the West Coast for the first time ever as members of the same conference.

Let’s go over what you need to know about Michigan State heading into this season.

Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan State: When and where?

  • Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
  • Kickoff time: 6:00 PM PT
  • Venue: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

Game details: Oregon football vs. Michigan State

This game isn’t the first Big Ten conference game for the Ducks on the 2024 Oregon football schedule, but it’s still something of a significant milestone for the Oregon football program as they get settled into the conference. 

The Ducks and Spartans have met on seven different occasions previously and Oregon currently clings to a slight advantage to the tune of 4-3. Interestingly enough, the home team has managed to win every game in this contest (not counting weird bowl wins, that is)

Meet Oregon football 2024 opponent: Michigan State

Going into the 2024 college football season, the Michigan State Spartans are now led by Jonathan Smith, who stepped into the role to help the Spartans rebuild following the dismissal of Mel Tucker. Smith, who I mentioned is a familiar face for Oregon football fans, was previously the head coach of the Oregon State Beavers and he brings over plenty of experience to East Lansing.

Three Michigan State Spartans that Oregon football fans should know

  • Jack Velling, tight end: Like Jonathan Smith, Jack Velling joined the Michigan State Spartans after a solid career with the Oregon State Beavers.
  • Nate Carter, running back: In 2023, nobody on Michigan State’s roster ran for more yards than Carter, who racked up 798 yards and scored four touchdowns last year
  • Dillon Tatum, defensive back: He didn’t get to play a full season due to some injury issues, but Dillon Tatum is young and showed plenty of promise last season. 

Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan State Spartans: 2024 summer preview, prediction

This isn’t going to be the biggest game on the 2024 Oregon football schedule, but it could certainly create an exciting Friday night matchup in Eugene. The Ducks are likely to be pretty heavily favored in this one and they also get the opportunity to play at home here.

That will give the Oregon Ducks plenty of opportunities to put up points on a Michigan State defense that struggled last season all while Oregon’s defense stymies an inconsistent Spartans offense. 

It will be interesting to see how quickly Jonathan Smith can get things rolling for the Michigan State football team. This one should be a bit of an easy conference win for the Ducks, all things considered.

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